Display panel, display device, and electronic unit

ABSTRACT

A display panel including: a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels; and a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions. The transmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visible any one of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel section not from a front but from a first or second direction via the barrier section, the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying in type, and the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes but differently.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/755,637 filed Jun. 30, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/449,497 filed Apr. 18, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.9,106,904 issued Aug. 11, 2015, the entireties of which are incorporatedherein by reference to the extent permitted by law. The presentapplication claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2011-101412 filed on Apr. 28, 2011 in the JapanPatent Office, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference hereinto the extent permitted by law.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a display panel capable of multi-viewdisplay allowing viewing of two-dimensional (2D) image (planar image)that looks different depending on from which perspective the image isviewed. The present technology relates also to a display device providedwith such a display panel, and an electronic unit provided with thedisplay device described above.

A display device capable of multi-view display or three-dimensional (3D)display has been recently in practical use. Such a display device isknown to include a barrier layer on a display region of a display panel,for example. As an exemplary barrier layer, Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 9-281440 describes a barrier layer includinga plurality of transmissive slits each separated by a light-blockingregion. As another example, Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 8-106070 describes a barrier liquid crystal display withwhich a light-blocking region is generated in response to application ofa voltage to a liquid crystal material.

SUMMARY

The issue here is that, for the provision of such a barrier layer, theslits thereof are sometimes reduced in width to be equal to that of asub-pixel. If this is the case, however, the distance between the pixelsand the barrier layer is reduced, and this results in a smallerprocessing margin at the time of processing a CF (Color Filter)substrate of a display panel until the thickness thereof becomessuitable for the distance. In consideration thereof, a possibility is toincrease the slit width to be equal to the width of two or moresub-pixels. If the width is increased as such, however, a phenomenon ofcolor moiré may occur when the display panel is viewed from a directionthat is not an appropriate-viewing direction. The “color moiré” is aphenomenon observed when the direction of viewing the display panel ischanged by degrees in the horizontal plane, and is caused by theresulting similarity of color appearing in the slits and colordisappearing therefrom, whereby this looks like glare.

As a measure for the disadvantage described above, a possibility is tochange the position of the slits. However, if such a position changecauses the sub-pixels visible from each slit to belong to differentpixels, the resulting image looks slightly different from the originalimage. With the measure described above, there thus has been adisadvantage of degradation of the image quality.

It is thus desirable to provide a display panel capable of suppressingdegradation of the image quality at the time of multi-view display, anda display device provided with the display panel, and an electronic unitprovided with the display device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda display panel including: a panel section including a display regionwhere a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a gap region provided in agap between the pixels; and a barrier section including a plurality oftransmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and alight-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions. Thetransmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visible anyone of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel section notfrom a front but from a first or second direction via the barriersection, the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixelsvarying in type, and the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arrangednot in stripes but differently.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a display device including: a panel section including a displayregion where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a gap regionprovided in a gap between the pixels; a barrier section including aplurality of transmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, anda light-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions;and a drive section driving the panel section or both the panel sectionand the barrier section. The transmissive regions are each of a sizeallowing viewing of any one of the pixels entirely therethrough when aviewer views the panel section not from a front but from a first orsecond direction via the barrier section, the pixels are each configuredby a plurality of sub-pixels varying in type, and the sub-pixels in eachof the pixels are arranged not in stripes but differently.

According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided an electronic unit with a display device, the display deviceincluding: a panel section including a display region where a pluralityof pixels are arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between thepixels; a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regionsin a two-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to bearound each of the transmissive regions; and a drive section driving thepanel section or both the panel section and the barrier section. Thetransmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visible anyone of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel section notfrom a front but from a first or second direction via the barriersection, the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixelsvarying in type, and the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arrangednot in stripes but differently.

With the display panel, the display device, and the electronic unitaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmissiveregions of the barrier section are each configured to make entirelyvisible any one pixel therethrough when viewed from the first or seconddirection. Therefore, the sub-pixels visible in the transmissive regionbelong to the same pixel. Moreover, the sub-pixels in each of the pixelsare arranged not in stripes but differently. Therefore, the color moiréis reduced without displacing the transmissive regions not to match thepixel arrangement.

With the display panel, the display device, and the electronic unitaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the pixelsinclude a plurality of first pixels that are each visible through thecorresponding transmissive region when viewed from the first direction,and a plurality of second pixels that are each visible through thecorresponding transmissive region when viewed from the second direction.In this configuration, in two of the first pixels adjacent to each otherin the vertical or diagonal direction, the sub-pixels are preferablylaid out differently. Moreover, in two of the second pixels adjacent toeach other in the vertical or diagonal direction, the sub-pixels arepreferably laid out differently. Therefore, the color moiré is reducedwithout displacing the transmissive regions not to match the pixelarrangement.

With the display panel, the display device, and the electronic unitaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure, thelight-blocking section is configured to include a first light-blockingsection whose area is of the pixel level, and a second light-blockingsection whose area is smaller than that of the first light-blockingsection. In this configuration, preferably, the first and secondlight-blocking sections are arranged alternately in a two-dimensionalplane. Moreover, the first and second light-blocking sections arepreferably arranged alternately in the lateral direction with one of thepixels sandwiched therebetween. When the first and second light-blockingsections are arranged at such positions, the transmissive regions arepreferably each provided at a position matching the corresponding firstlight-blocking section.

With the display panel, the display device, and the electronic unitaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sub-pixelsvisible in any of the slits belong to the same pixel when viewed fromthe first or second direction, and the color moiré is reduced withoutdisplacing the transmissive regions not to match the pixel arrangement.Therefore, degradation of the image quality at the time of multi-viewdisplay is allowed to be suppressed.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended toprovide further explanation of the technology as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and,together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of thetechnology.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary cross-sectional configurationof a display device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar viewof a panel section of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an exemplaryconfiguration in a planar view of a barrier section of FIG. 1, and FIG.2C is a diagram showing an exemplary combined configuration of the panelsection of FIG. 2A and the barrier section of FIG. 2B in a planar view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for illustrating dual-view display in thedisplay device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar viewof the panel section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 1, FIG.4B is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar view ofthe barrier section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 1, andFIG. 4C is a diagram showing an exemplary combined configuration of thepanel section of FIG. 4A and the barrier section of FIG. 4B in a planarview.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar viewof the panel section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 2, FIG.5B is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar view ofthe barrier section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 2, andFIG. 5C is a diagram showing an exemplary combined configuration of thepanel section of FIG. 5A and the barrier section of FIG. 5B in a planarview.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar viewof the panel section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 3, FIG.6B is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar view ofthe barrier section of FIG. 1 according to Modification Example 3, andFIG. 6C is a diagram showing an exemplary combined configuration of thepanel section of FIG. 6A and the barrier section of FIG. 6B in a planarview.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic unit accordingto an application example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the below, an embodiment of the present disclosure is described indetail by referring to the accompanying drawings. Herein, a descriptionis given in the following order.

1. Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3)

-   -   Example in which each pixel is configured by RGB, and a wide        black section is provided

2. Modification Examples (FIGS. 4A to 6C)

-   -   Example in which each pixel is configured by RGGB, and a wide        black section is provided    -   Example in which each pixel is configured by RGB, and a general        black section is provided    -   Example in which each pixel is configured by RGGB, and is with a        general black section

3. Application Example (FIG. 7)

-   -   Example in which a display device of Embodiment and Modification        Examples described above is applied to an electronic unit

1. First Embodiment Configuration

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary cross-sectional configurationof a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic view, and the dimension andshape thereof are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Thedisplay device 1 includes a display panel 20, a backlight 10, and adrive circuit (not shown). The backlight 10 is disposed behind thedisplay panel 20, and the drive circuit drives the display panel 20. Thebacklight 10 is a plane-emitting light source that illuminates thedisplay panel 20 from the rear thereof. An upper surface of the displaypanel 20 serves as an image display surface. The display panel 20includes a panel section 30, and a barrier section 40.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration in a planar viewof the panel section 30 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing anexemplary configuration in a planar view of the barrier section 40 ofFIG. 1, and FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an exemplary combinedconfiguration of the panel section 30 of FIG. 2A and the barrier section40 of FIG. 2B in a planar view.

The panel section 30 is a transmissive panel in which each pixel 31 isdriven according to an image signal coming from the outside. The panelsection 30 is exemplified by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL(Electro-Luminescence) panel, or a plasma panel. Note that when thepanel section 30 has a self-emitting mechanism such as an organic ELpanel or a plasma panel, the backlight 10 is not necessarily provided.The panel section 30 is in the shape of a square having four sides asshown in FIG. 2A, for example. In the below, as for the four sides ofthe panel section 30, the two opposing sides are assumed as beingparallel to the horizontal direction, and the remaining two sides areassumed as being parallel to the perpendicular direction. Also in thebelow, the horizontal direction may be referred to as lateral directionor row direction, and the perpendicular direction may be referred to asvertical direction or column direction.

The panel section 30 includes a display region and ring-shaped frameregions. The display region includes a plurality of pixels 31 that arearranged two-dimensionally, and the frame regions are each located onthe periphery of the corresponding pixel. The pixels 31 in the displayregion are each configured by a sub-pixel 32R for red, a sub-pixel 32Gfor green, and a sub-pixel 32B for blue as shown in FIG. 2A, forexample. In the below, these sub-pixels 32R, 32G, and 32B arecollectively referred to as sub-pixels 32.

The pixels 31 are not arranged in stripes but differently. In anexemplary arrangement, as shown in FIG. 2A, the pixels 31 are arrangedalternately (in a staggered manner) in the column direction and in linein the row direction. In the pixels 31, the sub-pixels 32 are laid outdifferently on a row basis. As an example, the pixels 31 in a row eachinclude the sub-pixels arranged in order of R, G, and B, the pixels 31in another row each include the sub-pixels arranged in order of B, R,and G, and the pixels 31 in still another row each include thesub-pixels arranged in order of G, B, and R.

The panel section 30 includes a black section 33 being a light-blockingsection between the pixels 31 and between the sub-pixels 32. As shown inFIG. 2A, for example, the black section 33 is located around each of thepixels 31, and includes light-blocking sections 33A and 33B. The area ofthe light-blocking section 33A is of the pixel level (the area is equalto or substantially equal to that of the pixel 31, for example), and thearea of the light-blocking section 33B is smaller than that of thelight-blocking section 33A. The light-blocking sections 33A and 33B arearranged alternately in the two-dimensional plane. As an exemplaryarrangement, the light-blocking sections 33A and 33B are alternatelyarranged in the lateral direction (the row direction) with one pixel 31sandwiched therebetween, and in the vertical direction (the columndirection), are alternately arranged with no pixel 31 sandwichedtherebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the black section 33 also includes alight-blocking section 33C between the sub-pixels 32 in the pixel 31.The area of the light-blocking section 33C is smaller than that of thelight-blocking section 33B. The black section 33 includes such alight-blocking section 33C also between the pixels 31 positioned in thevertical direction (the column direction) with respect to each other.

The barrier section 40 is for blocking a part of the light (image light)coming from each of the pixels 31 of the panel section 30. With thebarrier section 40 partially blocking the image light as such, a vieweris allowed to view 2D image (planar image) differently depending on fromwhich appropriate-viewing direction the viewer views (the direction d1or d2 that will be described later). In this sense, the display device 1operates as a so-called dual-view display device.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the barrier section 40 is disposed atthe position facing the panel section 30. The barrier section 40 is insuch a barrier pattern as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2B, that is, abarrier pattern in which a plurality of transmissive regions 42 arearranged two-dimensionally, and a light-blocking region 41 is arrangedto be around each of the transmissive regions 42.

The light-blocking region 41 is configured by a light-blocking member,for example. On the other hand, the transmissive regions 42 are each anaperture, for example. The transmissive regions 42 are arrangedsystematically in their entirety, and are arranged two-dimensionally inthe row and column directions. As shown in FIG. 2B, for example, thetransmissive regions 42 are so arranged as to be displaced by a halfpitch on a row basis, and thus the light-blocking region 41 and thetransmissive regions 42 are arranged roughly in a checkered pattern (inother words, alternately in the row and column directions), for example.

As for the transmissive region 42, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example, thearea thereof is of the pixel level (the area is equal to orsubstantially equal to that of the pixel 31, for example), and the shapeand size thereof are the same or almost the same as those of the pixel31. As shown in FIG. 2B, for example, the transmissive regions 42 arearranged with a pitch of about three pixels in the row direction, andwith a pitch of about two pixels in the column direction. In otherwords, any two transmissive regions 42 adjacent to each other in the rowdirection have a gap of about two pixels therebetween, and any twotransmissive regions 42 adjacent to each other in the column directionhave a gap of about one pixel therebetween.

The transmissive regions 42 are each disposed at the position matchingthe corresponding light-blocking section 33A, and as exemplarily shownin FIG. 2C, are each disposed at the position opposing to thecorresponding light-blocking section 33A. On the other hand, thelight-blocking region 41 is disposed at the position matching the pixels31 and the light-blocking sections 33B and 33C, and as exemplarily shownin FIG. 2C, is disposed at the position opposing to the pixels 31 andthe light-blocking sections 33B and 33C.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the dual-view display in thedisplay device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the barrier section 40 is sodisposed as to make visible any predetermined pixel 31 via thecorresponding transmissive region 42 when a viewer H views the displaypanel 20 from the first appropriate-viewing direction d1. In otherwords, the transmissive regions 42 are each so configured as to allowentire viewing of any one pixel from one transmissive region 42 when theviewer H views the display panel 20 from the first appropriate-viewingdirection d1. Herein, when the viewer H views the display panel 20 fromthe first appropriate-viewing direction d1, the pixel 31 visible fromthe corresponding transmissive region 42 as such is referred to as afirst pixel 31A.

Also as shown in FIG. 3, the barrier section 40 is so disposed as tomake visible any of the pixels 31 other than the first pixel 31A via thecorresponding transmissive region 42 when the viewer H views the displaypanel 20 from the second appropriate-viewing direction d2. In otherwords, the transmissive regions 42 are each so configured as to allowentire viewing of any one pixel from one transmissive region 42 when theviewer H views the display panel 20 from the second appropriate-viewingdirection d2. Herein, when the viewer H views the display panel 20 fromthe second appropriate-viewing direction d2, the pixel 31 visible fromthe corresponding transmissive region 42 as such is referred to as asecond pixel 31B.

The first and second pixels 31A and 31B are alternately arranged in thelateral direction, and are alternately arranged also in the verticaldirection. The first pixel 31A is located adjacent to the right of thelight-blocking section 33A, and the second pixel 31B is located adjacentto the left thereof. Similarly, the first pixel 31A is located adjacentto the left of the light-blocking section 33B, and the second pixel 31Bis located adjacent to the right thereof.

Herein, in the two first pixels 31A adjacent to each other in thevertical direction (in FIG. 2A, in the first pixel 31A in the first rowand the first pixel 31A in the third row, for example), the sub-pixels32 are laid out differently. Further, also in the two first pixels 31Aadjacent to each other in the diagonal direction (in FIG. 2A, in thefirst pixel 31A in the first row and the first pixel 31A in the secondrow, for example), the sub-pixels 32 are laid out differently. Stillfurther, in the two second pixels 31B adjacent to each other in thevertical direction (in FIG. 2A, in the second pixel 31B in the first rowand the second pixel 31B in the third row, for example), the sub-pixels32 are laid out differently. Still further, also in the two secondpixels 31B adjacent to each other in the diagonal direction (in FIG. 2A,in the second pixel 31B in the first row and the second pixel 31B in thesecond row, for example), the sub-pixels 32 are laid out differently.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3, for example, when the transmissive regions42 are each disposed at the position opposing to the correspondinglight-blocking section 33A, the light-blocking sections 33A are visiblevia the transmissive regions 42 when the viewer H views the displaypanel 20 from the front.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 2C, for example, in a certaintransmissive region 42 (referred to as transmissive region 42 a (notshown)), when the viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, heor she sees not only the light-blocking section 33A but also a part ofthe sub-pixels 32R and 32G from the sides thereof. The transmissiveregion 42 a is arranged to correspond to the pixel row in which thepixels 31 each include the sub-pixels arranged in order of G, B, and Rin the row direction.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2C, for example, in another transmissiveregion 42 (referred to as transmissive region 42 b (not shown)), whenthe viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, he or she seesnot only the light-blocking section 33A but also a part of thesub-pixels 32R and 32B from the sides thereof. The transmissive region42 b is arranged to correspond to the pixel row in which the pixels 31each include the sub-pixels arranged in order of R, G, and B in the rowdirection.

Moreover, also as shown in FIG. 2C, for example, in still anothertransmissive region 42 (referred to as transmissive region 42 c (notshown)), when the viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, heor she sees not only the light-blocking section 33A but also a part ofthe sub-pixels 32B and 32G from the sides thereof. The transmissiveregion 42 c is arranged to correspond to the pixel row in which thepixels 31 each include the sub-pixels arranged in order of B, R, and Gin the row direction.

When the viewing direction of the viewer H is changed from the firstappropriate-viewing direction d1 to the second appropriate-viewingdirection d2 with respect to the front, for example, the color appearingin the transmissive regions 42 a, 42 b, and 42 c is different from thecolor disappearing therefrom. There thus is no possibility of causingcolor moiré when the viewing direction of the viewer H is changed fromthe first appropriate-viewing direction d1 to the secondappropriate-viewing direction d2 with respect to the front, for example.

[Operation]

In the embodiment, the light coming from the backlight 10 is modulatedby each of the pixels 31 of the panel section 30, and then anypredetermined image light is provided to the barrier section 40.Thereafter, the image light is partially blocked by the light-blockingregion 41 of the barrier section 40, and the remaining light passedthrough the transmissive regions 42 is emitted from the image displaysurface of the display panel 20. The light emitted from the imagedisplay surface forms an image at a predetermined position (perspective)on the line segment parallel to the first appropriate-viewing directiond1, thereby generating 2D image (planar image). Also the light emittedfrom the image display surface forms an image at a predeterminedposition (perspective) on the line segment parallel to the secondappropriate-viewing direction d2, thereby generating 2D image (planarimage), for example.

[Effect]

In the embodiment, the transmissive regions 42 of the barrier section 40are each configured to make entirely visible any one pixel therethroughwhen viewed from the first or second appropriate-viewing direction d1 ord2. This means that the sub-pixels visible in the transmissive region 42belong to the same pixel. Moreover, the pixels 31 are arranged not instripes but differently. Therefore, the color moiré is reduced withoutdisplacing the transmissive regions 42 not to match the pixelarrangement. As such, in the embodiment, degradation of the imagequality at the time of multi-view display is allowed to be suppressed.

Also in the embodiment, in the two first pixels 31A adjacent to eachother in the vertical direction, the sub-pixels 32 are laid outdifferently, and in the two first pixels 31A adjacent to each other inthe diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 are also laid out differently.Moreover, in the two second pixels 31B adjacent to each other in thevertical direction, the sub-pixels 32 are laid out differently, and inthe two second pixels 31B adjacent to each other in the diagonaldirection, the sub-pixels 32 are also laid out differently. Therefore,the color moiré is reduced without displacing the transmissive regions42 not to match the pixel arrangement.

Also in the embodiment, the light-blocking sections 33A and 33B arealternately arranged in the row direction with one pixel 31 sandwichedtherebetween, and in the column direction, are alternately arranged withno pixel 31 sandwiched therebetween. Moreover, the transmissive regions42 are each provided at the position matching the correspondinglight-blocking section 33A, and the light-blocking region 41 and thetransmissive regions 42 are arranged roughly in a checkered pattern (inother words, alternately in the row and column directions). Therefore,the color moiré is reduced even if the transmissive regions 42 areprovided at positions matching the pixel arrangement.

Also in the embodiment, when the transmissive regions 42 are eachprovided in the region opposing to the corresponding light-blockingsection 33A, the viewer H may not see any unnecessary image when he orshe views the display panel 20 from the front.

2. Modification Examples

In the embodiment described above, the pixels 31 each include one eachof the three sub-pixels 32R, 32G and 32B of R, G, and B that arearranged in the row direction. However, the color type and the number ofthe sub-pixels 32 in each of the pixels 31 are not restricted to thosedescribed above. Moreover, the arrangement of the sub-pixels 32R, 32G,and 32B in each of the pixels 31 is not also restricted to thatdescribed above.

Modification Example 1

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pixels 31 may be each configuredby one sub-pixel 32R, two sub-pixels 32G, and one sub-pixel 32B.

In this modification example, the pixels 31 are not arranged in stripesbut differently. In an exemplary arrangement, as shown in FIG. 4A, thepixels 31 are arranged alternately (in a staggered manner) in the columndirection and in line in the row direction. The pixels 31 are eachconfigured by the four sub-pixels 32, and these four sub-pixels 32 arein the 2-by-2 layout. In the pixels 31, the sub-pixels 32 are laid outdifferently on a row basis. As an example, the pixels 31 in a row eachinclude the sub-pixels being in the layout of B and G on the right sideand R and G on the left side, and the pixels 31 in another row eachinclude the sub-pixels being in the layout of R and G on the right sideand B and G on the left side.

Between the pixels 31 or between the sub-pixels 32, the black section 33as a light-blocking section is provided. As shown in FIG. 4A, forexample, the black section 33 is located around each of the pixels 31,and includes the light-blocking sections 33A and 33B. The area of thelight-blocking section 33A is of the pixel level (the area is equal toor substantially equal to that of the pixel 31, for example), and thearea of the light-blocking section 33B is smaller than that of thelight-blocking section 33A. The light-blocking sections 33A and 33B arearranged alternately in the two-dimensional plane. As an exemplaryarrangement, the light-blocking sections 33A and 33B are alternatelyarranged in the lateral direction with one pixel 31 sandwichedtherebetween, and in the vertical direction, are alternately arrangedwith no pixel 31 sandwiched therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the black section 33 also includes thelight-blocking section 33C between the sub-pixels 32 in the pixel 31.The area of the light-blocking section 33C is smaller than that of thelight-blocking section 33B. The black section 33 includes such alight-blocking section 33C also between the pixels 31 positioned in thevertical direction (the column direction) with respect to each other.

The barrier section 40 is in such a barrier pattern as exemplarily shownin FIG. 4B, that is, a barrier pattern of including a plurality oftransmissive regions 42 that are arranged two-dimensionally, andincluding a light-blocking region 41 that is arranged to be around eachof the transmissive regions 42.

As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the transmissive regions 42 are soarranged as to be displaced by a half pitch on a row basis, and thus thelight-blocking region 41 and the transmissive regions 42 are arrangedroughly in a checkered pattern (in other words, alternately in the rowand column directions).

As for the transmissive region 42, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, thearea thereof is of the pixel level (the area is equal to orsubstantially equal to that of the pixel 31, for example), and the shapeand size thereof are the same or almost the same as those of the pixel31. As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the transmissive regions 42 arearranged with a pitch of about three pixels in the row direction, andwith a pitch of about two pixels in the column direction. In otherwords, any two transmissive regions 42 adjacent to each other in the rowdirection have a gap of about two pixels therebetween, and any twotransmissive regions 42 adjacent to each other in the column directionhave a gap of about one pixel therebetween.

The transmissive regions 42 are each disposed at the position matchingthe corresponding light-blocking section 33A, and as exemplarily shownin FIG. 4C, are each disposed at the position opposing to thecorresponding light-blocking section 33A. On the other hand, thelight-blocking region 41 is disposed at the position matching the pixels31 and the light-blocking sections 33B and 33C, and as exemplarily shownin FIG. 4C, is disposed at the position opposing to the pixels 31 andthe light-blocking sections 33B and 33C.

Similarly to the embodiment described above, the barrier section 40 isso disposed as to make visible any predetermined pixel 31 (the firstpixel 31A) via the corresponding transmissive region 42 when the viewerH views the display panel 20 from the first appropriate-viewingdirection d1. In other words, the transmissive regions 42 are each soconfigured as to allow entire viewing of any one pixel from onetransmissive region 42 when the viewer H views the display panel 20 fromthe first appropriate-viewing direction d1.

Also similarly to the embodiment described above, the barrier section 40is so disposed as to make visible any of the pixels 31 other than thefirst pixel 31A (the second pixel 31B) via the correspondingtransmissive region 42 when the viewer H views the display panel 20 fromthe second appropriate-viewing direction d2. In other words, thetransmissive regions 42 are each so configured as to allow entireviewing of any one pixel from one transmissive region 42 when the viewerH views the display panel 20 from the second appropriate-viewingdirection d2.

The first and second pixels 31A and 31B are alternately arranged in thelateral direction, and are alternately arranged also in the verticaldirection. The first pixel 31A is located adjacent to the right of thelight-blocking section 33A, and the second pixel 31B is located adjacentto the left thereof. Similarly, the first pixel 31A is located adjacentto the left of the light-blocking section 33B, and the second pixel 31Bis located adjacent to the right thereof.

Herein, in the two first pixels 31 adjacent to each other in thediagonal direction (in FIG. 4A, in the first pixel 31A in the first rowand the first pixel 31A in the second row, for example), the sub-pixels32 are laid out differently. Further, in the two second pixels 31Badjacent to each other in the diagonal direction (in FIG. 4A, in thesecond pixel 31B in the first row and the second pixel 31B in the secondrow, for example), the sub-pixels 32 are laid out differently.

As shown in FIG. 4C for example, when the transmissive regions 42 areeach disposed at the position opposing to the correspondinglight-blocking section 33A, the light-blocking sections 33A are visiblevia the transmissive regions 42 when the viewer H views the displaypanel 20 from the front.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, in a certaintransmissive region 42 (referred to as transmissive region 42 a (notshown)), when the viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, heor she sees not only the light-blocking section 33A but also a part ofthe sub-pixels 32R and 32G on the right side thereof. Moreover, theviewer H also sees a part of the sub-pixels 32G and 32B on the left sideof the light-blocking section 33A. The transmissive region 42 a isarranged to correspond to the pixel row in which the pixels 31 eachinclude the sub-pixels being in the layout of R and G on the right sideand G and B on the left side.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, in another transmissiveregion 42 (referred to as transmissive region 42 b (not shown)), whenthe viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, he or she seesnot only the light-blocking section 33A but also a part of thesub-pixels 32R and 32G on the left side thereof. Moreover, the viewer Halso sees a part of the sub-pixels 32G and 32B on the right side of thelight-blocking section 33A. The transmissive region 42 b is arranged tocorrespond to the pixel row in which the pixels 31 each include thesub-pixels being in the layout of B and G on the right side and R and Gon the left side.

When the viewing direction of the viewer H is changed from the firstappropriate-viewing direction d1 to the second appropriate-viewingdirection d2 with respect to the front, for example, the color appearingin the transmissive regions 42 a and 42 b is different from the colordisappearing therefrom. There thus is no possibility of causing thecolor moiré when the viewing direction of the viewer H is changed fromthe first appropriate-viewing direction d1 to the secondappropriate-viewing direction d2 with respect to the front, for example.

[Operation]

In this modification example, the light coming from the backlight 10 ismodulated by each of the pixels 31 of the panel section 30, and then anypredetermined image light is provided to the barrier section 40.Thereafter, the image light is partially blocked by the light-blockingregion 41 of the barrier section 40, and the remaining light passedthrough the transmissive regions 42 is emitted from the image displaysurface of the display panel 20. The light emitted from the imagedisplay surface forms an image at a predetermined position (perspective)on the line segment parallel to the first appropriate-viewing directiond1, thereby generating 2D image (planar image). Also the light emittedfrom the image display surface forms an image at a predeterminedposition (perspective) on the line segment parallel to the secondappropriate-viewing direction d2, thereby generating 2D image (planarimage), for example.

[Effect]

In this modification example, the transmissive regions 42 of the barriersection 40 are each configured to make entirely visible any one pixeltherethrough when viewed from the first or second appropriate-viewingdirection d1 or d2. This means that the sub-pixels visible in thetransmissive region 42 belong to the same pixel. Moreover, the pixels 31are arranged not in stripes but differently. Therefore, the color moiréis reduced without displacing the transmissive regions 42 not to matchthe pixel arrangement. As such, in this modification example,degradation of the image quality at the time of multi-view display isallowed to be suppressed.

Also in the modification example, in the two first pixels 31A adjacentto each other in the diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 are laid outdifferently. Moreover, in the two second pixels 31B adjacent to eachother in the diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 are also laid outdifferently. Therefore, the color moiré is reduced without displacingthe transmissive regions 42 not to match the pixel arrangement.

Also in the modification example, the light-blocking sections 33A and33B are alternately arranged in the row direction with one pixel 31sandwiched therebetween, and in the column direction, are alternatelyarranged with no pixel 31 sandwiched therebetween. Moreover, thetransmissive regions 42 are each provided at the position matching thecorresponding light-blocking section 33A, and the light-blocking region41 and the transmissive regions 42 are arranged roughly in a checkeredpattern (in other words, alternately in the row and column directions).Therefore, the color moiré is reduced even if the transmissive regions42 are provided at positions matching the pixel arrangement.

Modification Example 2

As an alternative arrangement, the pixels 31 may be disposed at theposition where the light-blocking sections 33A are provided in theembodiment described above, and the light-blocking sections 33C may bedisposed at the position where the light-blocking sections 33B areprovided therein. If this is the arrangement, as shown in FIG. 5A, forexample, the display region of the panel section 30 includes a pluralityof sub-pixels 32, which are arranged two-dimensionally with thelight-blocking section 33C each provided therebetween. In other words,the light-blocking sections 33C are in a mesh-like structure with eachwidth thereof being narrower than that of the sub-pixel 32. In thiscase, when the viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, asexemplarily shown in FIG. 5C, in each of the transmissive regions 42,the corresponding pixel 31 is visible instead of the light-blockingsection 33A. To be specific, the transmissive regions 42 are eachprovided at the position matching any of the pixels 31 other than thefirst and second pixels 31A and 31B.

However, in this modification example, similarly to the embodimentdescribed above, the sub-pixels 32 in each of the pixels 31 are arrangednot in stripes but differently. Therefore, the color moiré is reducedwithout displacing the transmissive regions 42 not to match the pixelarrangement. As such, degradation of the image quality at the time ofmulti-view display is allowed to be suppressed.

Moreover, in this modification example, in the two first pixels 31Aadjacent to each other in the vertical direction, the sub-pixels 32 arelaid out differently, and in the two first pixels 31A adjacent to eachother in the diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 are also laid outdifferently. Moreover, in the two second pixels 31B adjacent to eachother in the vertical direction, the sub-pixels 32 are laid outdifferently, and in the two second pixels 31B adjacent to each other inthe diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 are also laid out differently.Therefore, the color moiré is reduced without displacing thetransmissive regions 42 not to match the pixel arrangement.

Modification Example 3

As an alternative arrangement, the pixels 31 may be disposed at theposition where the light-blocking sections 33A are provided inModification Example 1 described above, and the light-blocking sections33C may be disposed at the position where the light-blocking sections33B are provided therein. If this is the arrangement, as shown in FIG.6A, for example, the display region of the panel section 30 includes aplurality of sub-pixels 32, which are arranged two-dimensionally withthe light-blocking section 33C each provided therebetween. In this case,when the viewer H views the display panel 20 from the front, asexemplarily shown in FIG. 6C, in each of the transmissive regions 42,the corresponding pixel 31 is visible instead of the light-blockingsection 33A.

However, in this modification example, similarly to Modification Example1 described above, the sub-pixels 32 in each of the pixels 31 arearranged not in stripes but differently. Therefore, the color moiré isreduced without displacing the transmissive regions 42 not to match thepixel arrangement. As such, degradation of the image quality at the timeof multi-view display is allowed to be suppressed.

Moreover, in this modification example, in the two first pixels 31Aadjacent to each other in the diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 arealso laid out differently. Moreover, in the two second pixels 31Badjacent to each other in the diagonal direction, the sub-pixels 32 arealso laid out differently. Therefore, the color moiré is reduced withoutdisplacing the transmissive regions 42 not to match the pixelarrangement.

3. Application Example

Described next is an application example of the display device 1 in theembodiment and modification examples described above. FIG. 7 is aperspective view of an electronic unit 100 in this application example,showing an exemplary schematic configuration thereof. The electronicunit 100 is a mobile phone, and as exemplarily shown in FIG. 7, isprovided with a main body section 111, and a display body section 112.The display body section 112 is provided to be open and close withrespect to the main body section 111. The main body section 111 includesoperation buttons 115, and a phone mouthpiece section 116. The displaybody section 112 includes a display device 113, and an earpiece section117. The display device 113 is so configured as to perform variousdisplays related to telephone communications on a display screen 114thereof. The electronic unit 100 includes a control section (not shown)for controlling the operation of the display device 113. This controlsection is provided in the main body section 111 or in the display bodysection 112 as a part of the control section in charge of controllingthe electronic unit 100 in its entirely, or as an individual sectionseparately from the control section.

The display device 113 is in the configuration same as that of thedisplay device 1 in the embodiment and modification examples describedabove. This accordingly allows the display device 113 to display thereonimage excellent in image quality with less color moiré during multi-viewdisplay.

While the present technology has been described in detail by referringto the embodiment, the modification examples, and the applicationexample, the present technology is not restrictive to the embodiment andothers described above, and numerous other modification may be possiblydevised.

In the embodiment, and the modification examples and the applicationexample thereof described above, exemplified is the case that thelight-blocking region 41 is made of a light-blocking member, and thetransmissive regions 42 are each an aperture. Alternatively, the barriersection 40 may be in the dynamic configuration in which the opticalcharacteristics of the light-blocking region 41 are controllable basedon a control signal coming from the outside. If this is theconfiguration, the drive circuit may drive not only the panel section 30but also the barrier section 40.

Note that, as an electronic unit applicable with the display device 1 inthe embodiment and modification examples thereof described above, themobile phone or others described above are surely not restrictive, andexamples also include a personal computer, a liquid crystal displaytelevision, an image tape recorder of a view finder type or of a monitordirect view type, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronicnotepad, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a picturephone,a POS (Point-Of-Sale) terminal, and others.

The present disclosure is also possibly in the following configurations.

(1) A display panel, including:

a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixelsare arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels; and

a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in atwo-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be aroundeach of the transmissive regions, wherein

the transmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visibleany one of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel sectionnot from a front but from a first or second direction via the barriersection,

the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying intype, and

the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes butdifferently.

(2) The display panel according to (1), wherein

the pixels include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of secondpixels, the first pixels being visible through the transmissive regionswhen viewed from the first direction, and the second pixels beingvisible through the transmissive regions when viewed from the seconddirection,

in two of the first pixels adjacent to each other in a vertical ordiagonal direction, the sub-pixels are laid out differently, and

in two of the second pixels adjacent to each other in the vertical ordiagonal direction, the sub-pixels are laid out differently.

(3) The display panel according to (2), wherein

the first and second pixels are arranged alternately in atwo-dimensional plane.

(4) The display panel according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

the light-blocking section includes a first light-blocking section whosearea is of a pixel level, and a second light-blocking section whose areais smaller than an area of the first light-blocking section.

(5) The display panel according to (4), wherein

the first and second light-blocking sections are arranged alternately ina two-dimensional plane.

(6) The display panel according to (5), wherein

the first and second light-blocking sections are alternately arranged ina lateral direction with one of the pixels sandwiched therebetween.

(7) The display panel according to (6), wherein

the transmissive regions are each provided at a position correspondingto the first light-blocking section.

(8) The display panel according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

the light-blocking sections are in a mesh structure with each widththereof being narrower than a width of the sub-pixel.

(9) The display panel according to (8), wherein

the pixels include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of secondpixels, the first pixels being visible through the transmissive regionswhen viewed from the first direction, and the second pixels beingvisible through the transmissive regions when viewed from the seconddirection, and

the transmissive regions are each provided at a position correspondingto any of the pixels other than the first and second pixels.

(10) A display device, including:

a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixelsare arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels;

a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in atwo-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be aroundeach of the transmissive regions; and

a drive section driving the panel section or both the panel section andthe barrier section, wherein

the transmissive regions are each of a size allowing viewing of any oneof the pixels entirely therethrough when a viewer views the panelsection not from a front but from a first or second direction via thebarrier section,

the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying intype, and

the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes butdifferently.

(11) An electronic unit with a display device, the display deviceincluding:

a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixelsare arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels;

a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in atwo-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be aroundeach of the transmissive regions; and

a drive section driving the panel section or both the panel section andthe barrier section, wherein

the transmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visibleany one of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel sectionnot from a front but from a first or second direction via the barriersection,

the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying intype, and

the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes butdifferently.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosedin Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-101412 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Apr. 28, 2011, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel, comprising: a panel sectionincluding a display region where a plurality of pixels are arranged, anda light-blocking panel section provided in a gap between the pixels; anda barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in atwo-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region around each ofthe transmissive regions, wherein, the transmissive regions are eachconfigured to make visible any one of the pixels therethrough when aviewer views the panel from a first direction via the barrier section,the pixels, which are visible thorough the transmissive regions whenviewed form the first direction, are different from the pixels, whichare visible thorough the transmissive regions when viewed from a seconddirection different from the first direction, each of the pixelscomprises a plurality of sub-pixels of different types, the pixels arearranged alternately in a column direction and in a row direction, andthe pixels are positioned to be shifted in the row direction, bysubstantially a half width of each pixel, from the pixels of an adjacentrow.
 2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the pixelsinclude a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels,the first pixels being visible through the transmissive regions whenviewed from the first direction, and the second pixels being visiblethrough the transmissive regions when viewed from the second direction,in two of the first pixels adjacent to each other in a vertical ordiagonal direction, the sub-pixels are laid out differently, and in twoof the second pixels adjacent to each other in the vertical or diagonaldirection, the sub-pixels are laid out differently.
 3. The display panelaccording to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking panel section includesa first light-blocking panel section and a second light blocking panelsection, and the first light-blocking panel section and secondlight-blocking panel section are arranged alternately in atwo-dimensional plane.
 4. The display panel according to claim 3,wherein the first and second light-blocking panel sections arealternately arranged in a lateral direction with one of the pixelssandwiched therebetween.
 5. The display panel according to claim 4,wherein the transmissive regions are each provided at a positioncorresponding to the first light-blocking panel section.
 6. A displaydevice, comprising: a panel section including a display region where aplurality of pixels are arranged, and a shielding panel section providedin a gap between the pixels; a barrier section including a plurality oftransmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and alight-blocking region around each of the transmissive regions; and adrive section driving the panel section or both the panel section andthe barrier section, wherein, the transmissive regions are each of asize allowing viewing of any one of the pixels therethrough when aviewer views the panel section from a first direction via the barriersection, the pixels, which are visible thorough the transmissive regionswhen viewed form the first direction, are different from the pixels,which are visible thorough the transmissive regions when viewed from asecond direction different from the first direction, each of the pixelscomprises a plurality of sub-pixels of different types, the pixels arearranged alternately in a column direction and in a row direction, andthe pixels are positioned to be shifted in the row direction, bysubstantially a half width of each pixel, from the pixels of an adjacentrow.
 7. An electronic unit with a display device, the display devicecomprising: a panel section including a display region where a pluralityof pixels are arranged, and a light-blocking panel section provided in agap between the pixels; a barrier section including a plurality oftransmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and alight-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions; anda drive section driving the panel section or both the panel section andthe barrier section, wherein, the transmissive regions are eachconfigured to make visible any one of the pixels therethrough when aviewer views the panel section from a first direction via the barriersection, the pixels, which are visible thorough the transmissive regionswhen viewed form the first direction, are different from the pixels,which are visible thorough the transmissive regions when viewed from asecond direction different from the first direction, each of the pixelscomprises a plurality of sub-pixels of different types, the pixels arearranged alternately in a column direction and in a row direction, andthe pixels are positioned to be shifted in the row direction, bysubstantially a half width of each pixel, from the pixels of an adjacentrow.